Bath News

Bath start-ups have dazzled big names in London with support of new MP

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He may have only been in office for a matter of weeks, but Bath MP Ben Howlett is already getting his plans to back small businesses underway.

The conservative MP joined technology start-ups from Bath as they pitched their ideas and technologies to some of the UK’s biggest corporates in London.

Backing Bath’s small businesses is part of Mr Howlett’s his six-point plan for the city.

The event, run by SETsquared, a partnership of the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, saw 20 of the South of England’s most innovative start-ups pitch to the likes of Barclays, BAE Systems and Intel.

Among them were three Bath companies, who are members of SETsquared’s incubation programme and residents of the Bath Innovation Centre.

The Bath companies showcased were: Diversus, which creates 3D composites for the aerospace, defence and energy markets; Green Running, which provides a range of products to help monitor, analyse and manage energy consumption; and Smart Antenna, which offers smart antenna design and functionality solutions to the global portable device market.

Mr Howlett said: “It was a pleasure to meet such a range of innovative Bath based small businesses. As we look to transform our city into the creative industries capital of the South West I will fight for the resources necessary to deliver this aim."

“We’ve got a potential investor lined up purely off the back of a SETsquared event. They provide mentorship and keep us on the top of our business plan.”

Ali Hadavizadeh, deputy head of enterprise and innovation at Bath’s Innovation Centre, said: “The Open Innovation Showcase provides a vital link for many start-ups, as talking to companies at an early stage means the products can be refined for use and the wider market. It’s exactly what the UK economy needs, as it helps big businesses streamline and innovate by working with universities, SMEs and start-ups.”

It is the first time such a large-scale event, with start-ups pitching to more than 50 corporates, had taken place.